September 19, 1996
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

The following is being distributed at the request of the Tow Out Committee:

Oil Development Council (ODC) to Sponsor Tow Out Celebrations

The Newfoundland and Labrador Oil Development Allied Trades Council (ODC) today announced that it will become the major sponsor for the Hibernia Tow Out celebration in 1997. The event is designed to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments by the Newfoundland and Labrador workforce and the completion of the project both on time and on budget.

"The ODC sees the hook-up, mating, and tow out of the Hibernia platform as one of the most significant events in the history of this province," Derm Cain, president of the ODC said. "The ODC is proud of the workers' achievements and it will recognize and celebrate these achievements in a traditional Newfoundland fashion."

A portion of the $121,000 contribution will be used to develop specific sites in the Trinity Bay area. The Tow Out Promotion Committee has identified three areas that will host celebrations: Sunnyside; Gannet Point; and Grates Cove. The community of Blaketown will act as the gateway to the celebrations located on the Bay de Verde peninsula. The production platform will make its way through Trinity Bay to its final destination which is 365 kilometres East South-East of St. John's.

"Within just weeks of each other, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will be given the opportunity to witness our past merging with our future," Sandra Kelly, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, said. "The image of the Matthew and the re-enactment of John Cabot's historic landfall, together with the tow out of the technologically- advanced Hibernia platform, will be a modern marvel and one which will undoubtably attract the attention of the world."

Since its creation, the Hibernia project has been a tourism attraction for resident and non-resident tourists. In the past two years, it is estimated that more than 40,000 people have toured the Bull Arm site by way of public tours offered by the Hibernia Management and Development Corporation. It is estimated that upwards of 30,000 people would be interested in viewing the platform's tow out.

The ODC represents the 16 unions which have been involved in the construction phase of the Hibernia project. The Tow Out Promotion Committee is a non-profit organization which represents stakeholder organizations particularly those involved in tourism in the Trinity Bay area. In addition to the ODC, funding for the project is also being provided through Human Resources Development (HRD) and the Cabot Celebrations.

Contact: Paula Eddy, Project Manager, Tow Out Promotion Office, (709) 583-2265; or Laura Cochrane, Communications Director, Tourism, Culture and Recreation, (709) 729-0928.

BACKGROUNDER
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

EVENTS AT SUNNYSIDE

March 1, 1997     "Mating Celebrations"

Date of Mating Topside to Gravity Base, due to the possibility of poor weather conditions at this time, outdoor activities will be limited.

From the lookout at Sunnyside, people can gather to watch the process of the units being joined. An audio system will be in place to permit speeches by invited special guests. This system will also function as a broadcast system for music. During this time, ODC members will likely have static displays of their Hibernia work.

Later in the day, a hot meal will be prepared (in a warmer venue). This will allow for a more comfortable place for speeches and local entertainment. To reduce the potentially hazardous driving conditions at that time of year, the committee at Sunnyside has agreed to hold as much of this event as possible during day light hours.

April 20, 1997 (TBA)

May 23-25, 1997     Tow Out Celebration

The committee, in realizing the real potential for the Tow Out date to change, has selected this week as a period for preparation; the weekend of the 23- 25 will be the most publicized.

The Tow Out will be kicked off with a celebration, including live local entertainment, concessions, guest speakers and possibly the dedication of the ODC Monument. Due to the large numbers of visitors expected at this time, the dedication would attract more media attention than earlier in the spring. If it is possible to close off the area, a street dance will occur at this location, again with live music and the regular refreshment concessions.

May 31, 1997     SEND OFF

After this date, the majority of interested people will be heading to the southern side of Trinity Bay, as a final send off, the organizing group is looking for a sponsor to set off fireworks over Sunnyside Harbour as it will be the home to the GBS during its last night. The food and beverage concessions will remain in place until no longer needed.

EVENTS AT GANNET POINT

May 31-June 3     Festival of the Hearts

This event is planned to be larger in scope with an increased number of entertainers. It is also anticipated that the audiences will be larger.

The scale of the festivities at Gannet Point is larger than at Sunnyside. The question of accessibility is a consideration at this location to ensure that all people will be able to view the entertainment, as well as the GBS. Observation decks for wheelchair accessibility are being designed.

This area is much larger than any of the other sites thus giving the committee flexibility in its planning. Along with the regular concessions, entertainment and parking, this group is looking at the possibility of having a supervised play area for younger children. Because of the time frame at Gannet Point, the Committee is considering planning this event for a static date, and encouraging people to stay in the area for an extended period of time.

EVENTS AT GRATES COVE

June 3, 1997     The last view from the shore

The celebrations at Grates Cove will be on a much smaller scale than the other Tow Out venues. It is expected that this location will be of greater interest to media types, more so than the average tourist.

At Grates Cove, it will be a more ceremonial event (very similar to the March 1 date at Sunnyside) when guest speakers will make final remarks on the progress of the Hibernia project and the province's pride specifically the pride of Trinity Bay's in the realizing project. This area will be specifically designed to accommodate the media rather than for entertainment purposes with the people of Grate's Cove providing excellent local entertainment and refreshments.

EVENTS AT BLAKETOWN

June 1-3, 1997     Progress and Event Information

The Bay de Verde Peninsula will be receiving a large increase in vehicle traffic over a short period of time. An information service area located near the Trans Canada Highway exit will provide travel information to visitors of the area. Currently, it is expected that the majority of information would be offered by static displays of maps and timetables. Residents will be encouraged to staff the information post and pass out literature and information about the event and the area.

VOLUNTEERS

The number of volunteers involved in the planning process vary from community to community, however, and it is likely that these numbers will rise considerably as the date of events draws closer.

Center Hill Trail Association - Sunnyside


Current Size: 12 Active Members
Expected Size: 30+
Expected Visitors: 18,000+ (3 months)

Gannet Point - Heart's Delight-Islington and Heart's Desire


Current Size: 45 Active Members
Expected Size: 50-60
Expected Visitors: 9,000+ (3 days)

Cabot Rock Heritage Association - Grates Cove


Current Size: 12 Active Members
Expected Size: 20+
Expected Visitors: 1,500+ (1 day)

Blaketown Recreation Committee


Current Size: 9 Active Members
Expected Size: 20+
Expected Visitors: 20,000